USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley
Slightly floral start with black cherry, black pepper, licorice aromas. Palate is similar, just a bit fatter and less nuanced, also slightly short and (almost) hot, but a great value wine at $25.
Tasting. A real step up from the "regular" Reserve Speciale bottling. Big fruit and a Meursault nutty character with a slight buttery element. Some heat on finish, best served cold.
Tasting. Intense blackberry, black cherry and black currant aromas, more subdued on palate. Give a few years for acidity to soften a little and overall better integration, but there is very good raw material here for the mediocre vintage.
Tasting. Great black cherry, plum aromas with modest spice. Bold flavors on palate with a long, textured finish. Excellent balance. 65% Cabernet, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc.
Tasting. Slightly reticent aromas with more bold fruit with big spice on palate. Firm tannins aren't quite in balance, but lots of raw materials. Hold to 2010 or later. 85% Cabernet.
1998 Byron Chardonnay Nielson Vineyard 86 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley
Tasting. Slightly floral start with fair amount of new oak. Good orchard fruit, just came across as a bit toasty right now. Better in a few years?
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1999 Byron Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley 88 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley
Slightly floral start with black cherry, black pepper, licorice aromas. Palate is similar, just a bit fatter and less nuanced, also slightly short and (almost) hot, but a great value wine at $25.
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1999 Byron Pinot Noir Sierra Madre Vineyard 90 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley
Tasting. Redfruit aromas with good spice. Rich, bold on palate. Lots of spice with an opulent texture. Fun and nuanced. Best in next few years.
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1999 Byron Pinot Noir Nielson Vineyard 87 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley
Tasting. Starts with pale red fruit but good spice- nutmeg and cloves. Moderate red fruit on palate with more subdued spice. Short finish.
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2000 Arrowood Viognier Saralee's Vineyard 87 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Tasting. Medium fruit aromas followed by same on palate with a lush, unctuous texture. Simple on finish.
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1999 Arrowood Chardonnay Réserve Spéciale 87 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County
Tasting. Slightly over-oaked aromas to start. Stone fruit with a buttery texture, very classically California Chardonnay.
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1999 Arrowood Chardonnay Cuvée Michel Berthoud Réserve Spéciale 90 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County
Tasting. A real step up from the "regular" Reserve Speciale bottling. Big fruit and a Meursault nutty character with a slight buttery element. Some heat on finish, best served cold.
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1999 Arrowood Syrah Saralee's Vineyard 87 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Tasting. Lush, sweet black fruit aromas. Similarly rich fruit on palate, well structured and balanced. Drinking easily and well today.
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1999 Arrowood Special Select Late Harvest Riesling Preston Ranch 85 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley
Tasting. Aromas of simple syrup. Robust and powerful flavors to start, but a bit simple and doesn't seem ageworthy.
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